Ducal Court of Gelre

[HJ Tulp]

The Duchy of Gelre

Gelre and the lowlands.


The Head of State

Willem van Egmond, Duke of Gelre,Count of Zutphen and lord of Egmond. The Duke was born in the year of our Lord 1390. The Duke is married with Duchess Walburga van mors .
The Duchess is born in the year of our Lord 1391.

The heirs: Jan van Egmond, born in the year of our Lord 1420 (not married). Jan is the heir and is teached by the best teachers of the known world.

Hendrik van Egmond, born in the year of our Lord 1422 (not married). Hendrik general in the Gelren army and the representative of Gelre in the Imperial court.

Anna van Egmond, born in the year of our Lord 1424 (not married).

The Gelren goverment,

Duke Willem van Egmond.
The Minister of State: Reinald van Brederode.
The Minister of Foreign affairs: Baron Hendrik Johan Tulp of Apeldoorn.
The Chancellor of treasure: Dirk van Verwolde.
And representative's from city's.

Ducal Statictics.

Capital: Zutpen.
Religion: Chatolic.
Cultureutch
Ports: 1
Statistics: 1/1/5/5/2


Foreign Affairs


Foreign Ambassadors and Emissaries in Zutphen:

Gotthard von Kruedener - Teutonic Order
Georg Alman-Holstein
Ian Rastic -Bosnia
Karl von Freisenburg -Bremen
Thor Pedersen-Denmark
Tobias Engelbrecht-Prussia
Detrik van der Waahl-Friesland
Alexander Von Bauer-Hannover
Henrik Svensson-Sweden
Hans der Meschling -Hessen
Benjamin Greystock -England
Amadeus von Torasburg -Sachsen
Erich Benz -Kleve

Ambassadors of the Duchy appointed to foreign courts:
Konrad van Veteren-Holstein
Daniel van Straussenberg-Bremen
Karl von Schreckendorf-Denmark
Joseph Ditrich -Sweden
Wilfred Dunku-Hessen
Henrik de Brouwer-England
Gerhard van de Doortoge - Prussia


Gelre has legal claims on Holland, Zeeland and Hainaut.

The Army
It is the duty of the Army of Gelre to defend its sovereign territory, the territory of its allies and the protection of all good Christians from the heathens.

The Navy
It is the duty of the Navy of Gelre to defend its ports, its lanes of trade and its merchant vessels in the Northsee.

Matters of Faith.

The State Religion is Chatolic.
The Orthodox and Jewish faith is tolerated.

Archbishop Benedictus of Utrecht.


A little history

Castle Egmond is in Holland also known as "Slot op den Hoef". The castle originally consisted of a moated, square main castle and a moated, rectangular outer ward with a strong gate house. Only a fragment of the square "Rentmeester"-tower, which was part of the west wall of the outer ward, is still standing.

In 1203 a Wouter van Egmond build a stone, circular castle with a diameter of 27 meters. It had a strong keep at its southside and its curtain wall had a wall-walk on arches. This stronghold, which existed until the end of the 15th century, mostly served as a place for refuge in times of peril. The residential buildings stood on an outer ward surrounded by a wooden palisade.

Around 1285 a Willem van Egmond started the building of a new castle on the eastern side of the outer ward as a replacement for the old castle. At the same time he build a new rectangular outer ward on the western side of the old ward.
After this castle was destroyed by the Frisians in 1321, Jan I van Egmond rebuild the castle. Around 1400 a canal was dug to Alkmaar making the castle reachable by boat. Also a harbour was constructed at the north eastern side of the castle. In the 15th century, Jan III, the first Count of Egmond and counsellor of Maria van Bourgondië, enlarged, renovated and embellished the castle. The moat between the castle and the outer ward became known as the "pond" as it was closed off at the northern and southern side by gates . The outer ward was equipped with an imposing gatehouse with four cornertowers


HARBOR OF KAMPEN

 

[HJ Tulp]

Guards of Link


You can call the Guards of Link the GUards of Gelre. They are the personal guards of the Duke of Gelre, every diplomat has a couple of guards and they sometimes escort merchants.
Almost every garrison has Guards of Link since they are specialised in riot control. Guards of Link are also used in special assingments like a crusade.

The command of the Guards of Link are heiritary. And so is the name Link. Link was the name of a hunter who saved the live of the first duke of Gelre.

The uniform of the Guards of Link is green.

 

[HJ Tulp]

Another spare post.

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Hansa Trade Union Council Meeting in Bremen

Heinrich Küster, acting as chairman of the Trade Council in his fathers absence, calls the meeting to order.

"Gentlemen, we have two points to the meeting today.

First, according to the charter, we have to vote on the following article in the Kopenhagen treaty between Denmark-Norway and Holstein:

7. Between the countries creates economic union. As the Duchy of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorf is a member of Trade Hansa all merchants from Hansa (Bremen, Gelre, Prussia, Mecklemburg and Holstein-Gottorf) and states of Kalmar Union can trade on their territories without taxes, and they will cooperate in other markets. Hansa has a priority on trade in the markets of the states of Kalmar Union and the Danish King grants a patent on monocomplete trade of Hansa in cooperation with merchants of the states of Kalmar Union in the Sund.

Bremen votes for the agreement!

Also, according to the charter, we are unable to simply declare trade embargo on a nation, unless said nation has declared trade embargo on a member, or has declared war on a member.
I do not think Sweden fullfills any of these requirements.

I will agree with Rolf of Waddinxveen, that we are not a political union, but herr von Auben are offcourse welcome to propose a change of the charter so we can iniate trade embargoes unprovoked.
I also wishes to congratulate the duke of Holstein with the achieved results, they are most impressing.
Gentlemen, please place your votes."

 

[HJ Tulp]

Duke Wilhelm sit's on his throne. He looks at the people in his court. The ambassedors, the members of the Raad van Staate and the Tulp-family.
"So you want to know what will happen to the Tilbutg estate?" says the duke.
"Yes mylord, Baron Johan Hendrik didn't have heirs after he was murdered by Urseolo." say Hubert Tulp, the 'father' of the family.
"I could give Baron Hendrik Johan the estate, but that would give him to much advatage over the other nobles. But it wouldn't be fair to give it to someone else. You may have it."
"Really? Thank you mylord."
The Duke looks releaved and think's " another thing done."

 

[unmerged(6719)]

A man wearing the dress of the court of Scotland enters the court of the Duke, bows and speaks:


"Greetings Duke of Gelre i am Irwin MacFrugal sent by his majesty King James I of Scotland to serve as his ambassador here in your fine court. King James hopes for a great friendship between the nation of the highlands, and the nation of the lowlands Gelre. He sends fine Scottish wool, and Scotch whiskey to you good Duke. King James opens up his court to you and hopes that you send an ambassador and accept me as yours. I await your response."

Ambassador MacFrugal bows again and awaits the Duke of Gelre's response.

 

[HJ Tulp]

"Ah" says Duke Wilhelm "Scotland, i've been in your beautiful country when i was just a youngster and i haven't drunk Scotch for year's. Thank you. I hope that you have got a nice room in our palace."

 

[unmerged(5730)]

Amadeus von Torasburg enters the room.

- Dear Duke Willem van Egmond. I have news from Frankfurt that you are intressed in The Independent Order of Justice and Liberation and My Duke are more than Happy to offer you Chair Number Two in the Order.

Herr von Torasburg gives a paper to the Duke

________________________________________

The Independent Order of Justice and Liberation

in The Name of Friedrich I von Saxe-Wittenberg

Stats of The Order
GrandMaster- Friedrich I
Headquarter - Dresden
Stats - 0/0/?/?/1 -> [0/0/?/?/1]
Religion - All Christian Religions Accepted

Memberstates

I. Saxony, Grandcross Friedrich I von Saxe-Wittenberg. Donating 1 eco.

The Order of Justice and Liberation was founded by Duke Friedrich I von Sachsen and it fights for what is right in the World.

The goal for the Order isto fight what is unjust in the world. The thing that awoken the Idea was the unfair annextion of Bohemia. Let me take an example what the Order would have done in that situation. The Order would have marched into Bohemia with full troops and defeated the Hussites and then reinstalled a new, fully Catholic King.

The Order will not in anyway, and cannot, be used for your own purpose. If anyone does so he will be kicked from the Order. When deciding of interfearing in a war, or starting a war the Council will vote, and every one in the Council has to explain why they vote like that. The Grand-Master, the Duke of Saxony usually has a Veto and can if neccesary change a decition if it is obvious unfair.

The full "constitution" is not yet clear, but wise men in Dresden are working hard with it and it should be finished in no longer than ten days.

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Jürgen Bauer, the Bremer ambassador, delivers a letter:

Willem van Egmont, Duke of Gelre

As you undoubtly know, the Lord Allmighty deemed it time to take my father, Johann II, founder of the Hansa, Richter von Germania and Duke of Bremen, away from this world and into His Heaven.

As the heir of Bremen, it is now my resposibility to carry on my fathers work, and therefore I invite you, a longtime friend of Bremen, to witness my coronation as Duke of Bremen.

The coronation will be held in the city of Bremen on the 16th of march in the year of Our Lord 1426 [OOC: saturday 17th].
It is my hope that you or any representative you wish to send will attend the ceremony.

By his own hand in Stettin
Johann Küster,
soon to be Johann III, Duke of Bremen.

 

[HJ Tulp]

The Duke walk's accompanied by his son Jan to his private ship, a feljoek, it was bought in Alexandria.
"Jan"the duke says "While i'm in Bremen you will be in charge of the affairs in Gelre, Baron Hendrik-Johan of Tilburg and your mother will accompanie me."
"I will do my best father"answers Jan.
"I know you will."
The Duke embarks in the feljoek, named "De Gouden Leeuw"and sails escorted by three ships to Bremen.

 

[unmerged(5730)]

Count von Torasburg enters the room.

- My Lord the Duke, I have great news from the Saxon Council now ruling Saxony that the Order finally is ready and that you will be the one to take the second chair in the ORder Council, but first we need you to sign this.

von Torasburg gived the Duke a paper.

___________________________________

The Independent Order of Justice and Liberation
in The Name of Friedrich I von Saxe-Wittenberg

By this I swear to Follow the Articles of the Order and to not use the Order money in Selfish purpose.

Article I, The Goal of The Order is to upholdand create Justice and Liberation in the known World.

Article II, The Order cannot be used in Selfish purpose.

Article III, Every Christian Nation are free to join the Order.

Article IV, Being in the Order does not stop you from being handled in the Order Council for unjustice.

Article V, If you are to one being handled in the Council you have no vote in that specific question.

Article VI, The Grand-Master of the Order is appointed by the Rightful Duke or the Council of Saxony.

Article VII, Too every Big decition of the Order the Grand-Master are obligated to arrange a vote.

Article VIII, In a Vote every single Vote needs to be explained, this to prevent the Order to be used in selfish purpose (See Article II).

Article IX, The Grand-Master has a Veto he can use to prevent really unfair decitions, this to prevent the Order to be used in selfish purpose (See Article II).

Article X, If a vote turns out equal the Grand-Master are to one to decide the outcome.

Article XI, The Order must before taking Military Actions or in otherway interfearing in an issue warn the unjust part and give them a decent chance to surrender by own free will.

Article XII, The Members or the Order have to give up Military Access to troops of the Order.

Article XIII, The Grand-Master are free to by his own head give out different titles and assignments for the people in the Order Council.

Article XIV, You can be granted your donation back tempory during a war or other situation where money is despertly needed. This is granted by the Grand-Master.

Article XV, In extreme cases a membernation can be kicked from the Order if he e.g. has used to Order in Selfish pupose and by that broken to Article II. In these cases the Grand-Master is to decide if he will kick him immidiatly or if a vote in the Council will decide.

Article XVI, You can whenever you want leave the Order and take your donation money back, but if you by any chance would like to return a vote in the Council will have to decide that. If you are leaving during a situation when the Order is handeling unjust by using troops you may not get your donation money back immidiatly.

________________________________


von Torasburg looks at the Duke and points at the paper.

- Please sign here.

 

[HJ Tulp]

Jan looks a the man from Saxony.
"I would be happy to sign but only my father may do that.
Can't you let him sign it in Bremen?"

 

[HJ Tulp]

KAMPEN

4 ships enter the harbour, the ship of the Duke "De Gouden Leeuw" and three escorts. The people where happy that the Duke came back from Bremen. The Duke came out "De Gouden Leeuw" and he and his wife waved to the people. Then they went to the capital Zutphen.

 

[Longinus]

Pommern delegation arrived. Their leader is granted the audience with the Duke who just arrived from Bremen couple of days earlier.

"Honorable Duke of Glere,

I am Martin Stulpnagel, Pomeranian diplomate who with your permission will serve in your court as House of The Greif permanent representative.

I bring with me an agreement wihich was already signed by Joachim of the Greif - and conditions were negotiated in Bremen."

He bows before the Duke and hands him a preachment.

Greif-Schlussel Allianz​

Greif-Schlussel Allianz, signed and ratified by the realms of the Duchy of Bremen and the Duchy of Pommerania in the Year of the Lord Fourteen-Hundred and Twenty-Six, August 22nd

Article I

All who have signed this treaty recognises their co-signers as the only legal rulers of the nation they have signed for.

Also, any who signs this document recgnises Victor I von Blommenstein and his legally choosen successors as the only legal Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, untill such time he meets his death.

Article II

Bremen and Pommern are the founders of this alliance as a sign of friendship between their houses and their faith in God Almighty and Holy Roman Empire. Both landlords consider themselves as equal in terms of leadership in battle in times of war or peace. If one of the landlord will give his life in the filed of battle other is bound to take the leadership and lead armies of Greif and Schlussel to the vicory.

Article III

This Alliance shall bind these nations together. The main purpose of which is to work for the protection of the ruled realm against any or all foreign agression.

Article IV

Each member of the alliance will permit each others' soldiers to traverse each others' realms in times of peace and war.

Article V

Should any nation ever become forced to defend either territory, legal claims or trading rights, other states who signed this treaty are required to declare war and help by any means possible including economical, military and diplomatic help in support of the alliance member.

Article VI

Article V is valid, even if members of this alliance should be forced, with legal casus belli, to open hostilities as the first.

Article VII

Should any nation wish to enter this alliance, first he have to state its reasons for doing so then both the duke of Bremen and the protector of Pommern must give their permission.

May this agreement reign in perpetuity and mark a new age of cooperation and friendship between the Duchy of Bremen and the Duchy of Pommerania.

Appendix to to the Greif-Schlussel Allianz Charter.​

1 - The Greif-Schlussel Allianz hereby recognises the Duchy of Gelre as an independent country, ruled by Willem van Egmont or in case of his death, the legal heirs of the van Egmont line. Duchy of Glere recognises the same concerning Houses of Bremen and Pommerania.

2 - Any attack on Gelre will be viewed as an attack on the Greif-Schlussel Allianz, which will respond in force.

3 - Gelre hereby promises support should the Greif-Schlussel Allianz ever be forced into war by others agression.
In that case, Gelre will join the Greif-Schlussel Allianz in the war againts any agressors.

4 - This treaty becomes invalid should Gelre declare war.

5 - Should the Greif-Schlussel Allianz be forced to declare war, with legal casus belli, Gelre can cancel this treaty by paying (1 eco) to either Bremen or Pommern, otherwise Gelre is bound by paragraph 3 above.

6 - This appendix recognises articles I to IV of the original Allianz Charter

7 - From now on Duchy of Glere becomes a country assosiated with the Allianz. If future if Duchy of Glere will wish to become full member further negotiations will commence.

May this agreement reign in perpetuity and mark a new age of cooperation and friendship between the Duchy of Glere and Duchies of Bremen and Pommerania.

 

[HJ Tulp]

The Duke rises to adress Martin Stulpnagel
"You're welcome in my court, i'll sign the treaty wich we have discussed earlier but first i've to destroy the NWGA treaty." The Duke rises and says" Let it be known that Gelre will not participate in the NWGA anymore." after that he signs the Greif-Schussel charter.

 

[unmerged(5730)]

A letter from Saxony arrives

"Dear Willem van Egmond, Duke of Gelre.

This is an invitation to the combinated funeral of Duke Friedrich I and the crownation of Duke Friedrich II in Dresden. We hope that you can offer some of your expensive time to attend.

Friedrich von Wurten"

 

[HJ Tulp]

Duke Willem van Egmondt reads the letter and says
"I'm just back for a week and i can leave again hahaha.
Begin to make preparations for the journy!"

 

[unmerged(5730)]

Friedric was very happy now when he had got his letter sent to his beloved Meike. Soon he would get a replay to him. She must, or his hearth would be totally devestated. But, he had heard one bad news. A Count from Gelre, obvious in lóve with Meike had visited the Bremen Baron. It had to be stopped. No one, absolutly no one would try to steal the girl made by God for him. That person would die, immidiatly.

He sat down to write a letter to the Baron

"Baron Link of Oldenzaal.

I am writing this as I have heard that you are showing feelings for young Meike the Beautiful of Bremen. Do so no more if you want to live at the end of this year. Meike is appointed to me by God, and you are sent by the Devil to stop God's will. I have no problems with stopping you. I want you to immidiatly leave Bremen and never return, never see Meike again, and never even think of her. Understood?

Signed: Duke Friedrich II von Saxe-wittenberg."

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Hansa Trade Union Council, Bremen

Heinrich Küster, the brother of Johann III, called the meeting to order.
It was well known that he only held the post as chairman of the council during his brothers absence as a token gesture, and that he didn't have any of the real power associated with it.
Actually, he was often seen looking at Otto Kaufmann, head of the Bremer merchant Guild, as if for permission, before placing his vote, even on the many minor items the council had voted on earlier, like the almost automatic approval of Saxonys trading agreement, the approval of which was a mere formality, since it gave all benefits at no cost.
But today, Heinrich looked very serious, and he ringed the small bell signifying the start of the meeting only after Otto Kaufmann had given him a brief nod.
Seated was, apart from Heinrich Küster and Otto Kaufmann of Bremen, the usual representatives in the trade council:
Johan Von Lambsdorff of Prussia
Magnus von Stargard of Mecklenburg
Johann Von Forz of Holstein-Gottorp
and Daniel van Straussenberg of Gelre.

In a show of respect, Rolf of Waddinxveen, the Gelrer ambassador in Bremen, was also invited.

Heinrich looked at the assemblied delegates, and silence filled the room. Then Otto Kaufmann gave a small, obviously intended, cough, and Heinrich seemed to gather himself.
"Gentlemen, this meeting is called because of a very serious event.
Gelre..." He nodded to Rolf and Daniel, "has obeyed the Emperors call to arms against Austria, and has thus declared war on Austria.
Thus, in accordance with the Trade Union Charter, we are forced to place a trade embargo on Austria, only to be lifted when the hostilities end.
You, herr Von Lambsdorff´, are including in this meeting because, even though Friedrich II Hohenzollern has stated his intent to leave Hansa iun order to join WHU, as he was encouraged to by the Stettin Act of Cooperation, he has not yet official declared that Prussia leaves the Hansa. As such, also Prussia is required to obey the placed embargo.
Gentlemen, please bring this news to your respective monarchs."
Heinrich looked reliefed, and was about to rise and thus end the meeting, when a stern look from Otto Kaufmann made him continue.
"Also, even though you're not required to do so, I believe it would be a sign of unity in the trade union if your nations offered to loan Gelre money in her support, and perhaps offer her soldiers the right of passage through your land. However, that is not manditory, unlike the trade embargo, which is a duty, not an option."

Then he ended the meeting, leaving the assemblied delegates to their task of informing their various monarchs of the new situation.

 

[Auspend]

A letter arrives from Frankfurt bearing the seal of both Wuerttemberg and the Palatinat.

Dear Willem van Egmond:

I cordially invite you to the wedding of Count Heinrich I of Wuerttemburg and Nora von Wittlesbach in Frankfurt-am-Main. The ceremonies are scheduled to take place in three months(ooc:Saturday). We hope you will be there.

Count Heinrich I of Wuerttemberg, Duke of Teck